A study on the temperature rise characteristics of high-speed ball bearings under starvation lubrication.

Purpose: This paper aims to study the problem of starvation lubrication of high-speed ball bearings due to temperature rise during operation and to avoid thermal failure of bearing lubrication. Design/methodology/approach: Under the quasi-statics model of grease lubrication, both the oil film dragging force and the rolling friction between the balls and raceways collectively counteract the gyroscopic torque. Initially, the static model for grease lubrication is solved, followed by calculating the generated heat using the local heat generation method and ultimately the multinodal thermal network model is solved, and the solved results of the quasi-statics are updated by the temperatures of the grease nodes based on the relationship of the grease temperature and viscosity, as well as the relationship of the viscosity and the film thickness. Findings: By comparing the numerical calculation results of bearings under different working conditions, the influence of starvation lubrication on the oil film thickness, oil film drag force and rolling friction of bearings is discussed, and it is found that the numerical calculation results of the outer ring temperature of bearings under the starvation lubrication due to the consideration of temperature rise are closer to the experimental values. Originality/value: This study reveals the dynamic characteristics of bearings under starvation lubrication, which is more practical and engineering guiding significance for the design of bearings, and introduces a new method and basis for the calculation of temperature rise of rolling bearings. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2024-0208/ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]